Here's Our
STANDARD CONTRACT
For Your Review
AUTHOR -- AGENT AGREEMENT
NORTHERN LIGHTS
LITERARY SERVICES, LLC
("Agent"), and Ima Author ("Author"), agree as follows:
-
GENERAL
TERMS.
1.1 Agent’s Business. Agent is in the business of
representing and promoting authors and providing other literary
services for authors who are working in (or aspire to work in)
the professional literary world.
1.2 Author's Work. Agent shall have the exclusive
right to negotiate for the disposition of literary rights for
Author’s work Name Of Book, subject to this
Agreement. Author is the sole owner of all of the literary
rights related to Author’s Work (hereinafter referred to as
“Literary Rights”).
For the purpose of this
Agreement, the term “Literary Rights” shall mean all of the
literary and other intellectual property rights of every kind
and nature whatsoever related to or derived from Author’s
creation of Author’s Work, including without limitation all
publishing rights, motion picture rights, audio rights,
electronic rights, and merchandising rights both within the
United States and everywhere else in the world (sometimes
referred to as “Foreign Rights”).
1.3 Engagement of Agent’s Services. Author hereby
engages Agent (and Agent’s individual literary agent, SAMMIE
L. JUSTESEN, and Agent hereby accepts such engagement, as
the exclusive professional literary agent of and for Author and
as the promoter of Author’s Work and of Author’s literary career
as a writer in the professional literary world (“Author’s
Literary Career”); provided, however, the term “Author’s
Literary Career” shall not include any of Author’s work as a
professional consultant, and Agent shall not be entitled to any
compensation as a result of any income earned by Author from her
work as a professional consultant.
1.4
Independent Contractor Relationship. Each of Agent and
Author shall be deemed an independent contractor and neither
shall be deemed to be the employee of the other, i.e., nothing
in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an
employee/employer, partnership, or joint venture relationship
between Agent and Author.
1.5 Term.
The term of this Agreement shall commence upon the signing of
this Agreement by Agent and Author and shall continue unless
terminated as provided in Paragraph 6.10 below.
1.6 Territory.
The territory governed by this Agreement shall be worldwide.
2. PAYMENT TO AGENT,
COMPENSATION OF AGENT, REIMBURSEMENT OF AGENT’S EXPENSES,
REMITTANCE TO AUTHOR, AND INSPECTION OF AGENT’S BOOKS.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement:
2.1 Payment
to Agent. All gross receipts owed to Author by any
third-party, including without limitation any publisher or
distributor, arising out of, derived from, or related in any way
to the sale or other disposition (during the term of this
Agreement) of any of Author’s Literary Work and/or Literary
Rights (“Author’s Gross Receipts”) shall be paid directly to
Agent; and, for this limited purpose, Author hereby appoints
Agent as Author’s limited attorney-in-fact;
2.2 Agent’s
Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses. In
consideration for Agent’s performance of Agent’s duties under
this Agreement:
2.2.1
Basic Agency Fee. As Agent’s basic agency fee,
Agent shall be entitled to receive a total of fifteen percent
(15%) of all of Author’s Gross Receipts (net of any sales
tax or gross receipts tax Author is liable for relative to such
Author’s Gross Receipts) (“Agent’s Basic Agency Fee”); provided,
however, Agent shall not be entitled to receive any commission
or other sum with respect to any of Author’s Gross Receipts
arising out of, derived from, or related to any prior or
pre-existing agreements between Author and any third-party;
AND
2.2.2
Additional Sub-Agency Fee. Upon subsequent
written agreement between Author and Agent, if Agent retains any
co-agent or sub-agent with respect to the commercialization
and/or exploitation of any Foreign Rights with respect to
Author’s Work and/or Literary Rights, Agent shall be entitled to
receive an additional ten percent (10%) of all of
Author’s Gross Receipts derived from such Foreign Rights
(“Agent’s Additional Sub-Agency Fee”); provided, however, except
as specifically provided in this Paragraph 2.2.2 and in
Paragraph 2.2.3 (relating to Reimbursement of Agent’s Expenses)
below, Agent shall be solely responsible for all payments made
and/or owed to any other sub-agent and/or co-agents retained by
Agent; AND
2.2.3
Reimbursement of Agent’s Expenses. When any of
Author’s Literary Work has been successfully sold in one or more
of the markets (domestic and/or foreign) to which it has been
submitted, Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of the
reasonable and customary costs, fees, and expenses incurred by
Agent’s with regard to Agent’s representation of Author
(“Agent’s Reimbursable Expenses”). Agent’s Reimbursable
Expenses shall include international mail costs, courier service
fees, photocopying, and the cost of books used for international
submissions. Author’s approval of any expenses not listed above
shall be required. Agent’s Reimbursable Expenses shall not
include any of Agent’s usual and customary office expenses,
e.g., telephone, staff, etc., which will be Agent’s sole
responsibility.
2.2.4 Effect of Sale of Rights
after Termination of Agreement. If Author sells or
transfers any Literary Rights in any of Author’s Literary Work
to any person or other entity to which Agent submitted a
proposal for the sale of those rights during the term of this
Agreement, Agent shall be entitled to the same compensation,
i.e., Agent’s Basic Agency Fee and any applicable Agent’s
Additional Sub-Agency Fee, and to reimbursement of Agent’s
Reimbursable Expenses if such sale or transfer of Literary
Rights takes place within ninety (90) days after this Agreement
terminates. Once earned under this Agreement, Agent’s right to
be compensated for any sale or disposition of Literary Rights in
any of Author’s Work shall continue even after this Agreement
terminates.
2.3
Remittance to Author. Within ten (10) business days
after Agent receives any of Author’s Gross Receipts, Agent shall
pay Author all sums collected as Author’s Gross Receipts less
only: (i) Agent’s Basic Agency fee; (ii) any applicable Agent’s
Additional Sub-Agency Fee; and (iii) Agent’s Reimbursable
Expenses. At that time Agent shall also provide Author with an
accounting (with reasonable supporting documentation) reflecting
Author’s Gross Receipts actually collected by Agent and an
itemization of all deductions for: (i) Agent’s Basic Agency Fee;
(ii) any applicable Agent’s Additional Sub-Agency Fee; and (iii)
Agent’s Reimbursable Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, all sums paid to Agent under this Agreement
shall be deemed to have been paid irrevocably.
2.4
Inspection of Books. Upon written request, Author
and/or Author’s representative shall have the right to examine
Agent’s books and records to the extent that such books and
records pertain to any matters under this Agreement. Such
examinations shall occur not more frequently than quarterly in
any calendar year and shall be conducted at Agent’s offices
during normal business hours and at a mutually agreeable time.
In order to mitigate the costs of such examination, within
thirty (30) days after Author’s written request to Agent, Agent
shall provide to Author (or to Author’s representative)
photocopies or electronic copies (readable by standard office
software) of all relevant records which could be examined by
Author (or Author’s representative) at Agent’s offices pursuant
to this paragraph.
3. DUTIES AND
POWERS OF AGENT. During the term of this Agreement and
subject to all other terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement:
3.1
Reasonable Best Efforts Performance. Agent shall render
and perform Agent’s professional literary agency and promotional
services required under this Agreement on a “reasonable best
efforts” basis. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term
“reasonable best efforts” shall mean: (i) in a manner reasonably
consistent with the generally accepted standards of care,
quality, skill, and diligence generally applicable to the nature
of Agent’s professional services within the field of
professional literary agents; and (ii) in a manner reasonably
consistent with Agent’s responsibilities to Agent’s other
clients, i.e., to Agent’s other professional writers who are
working in (or aspire to work in) the professional literary
world; and (iii) in a manner reasonably likely to enhance
Author’s opportunities (given Author’s individual and specific
strengths, skills, vulnerabilities, and challenges) to succeed
as a professional writer in the professional literary world.
3.2 Agent’s
Duties Relative to Literary Agency and Promotion of Author’s
Professional Career. Contingent upon Author’s
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Agent shall:
3.2.1
Attempt to find appropriate publishers for Author’s Work;
3.2.2 Negotiate on Author’s behalf
appropriate contracts with publishers for the publication of
Author’s Work and/or with other third-parties for the sale or
other disposition of Author’s Literary Rights relative to
Author’s Work throughout the world; provided, however, Author
reserves final control over any agreement disposing of Author’s
Literary Rights, and no agreement disposing of any of Author’s
Literary Rights shall be binding without Author’s signature.
3.2.3 Coach and assist Author with respect to the promotion of
Author’s Literary Career;
3.2.4 Consult with Author periodically as necessary
or appropriate to maintain effective communication between Agent
and Author with respect to Author’s Literary Career;
3.2.5
Discuss with Author all enquiries from third-parties related to
Author’s Work and with regard to Author’s Literary Career;
3.2.6
Provide Author with periodic reports of Agent’s work and Agent’s
plans for future work for and on behalf of Author’s Literary
Career;
3.2.7
Assist Author with Author’s collection of all monies owed to
Author by third-parties with regard to Author’s Work and with
regard to Author’s activities within Author’s Literary Career,
including without limitation all royalties due from publishers
and other third-parties;
3.2.8
Provide Author with regular written reports setting forth
relevant details relative to Agent’s Reimbursable Expenses that
are related solely to Agent’s activities as Author’s Agent and
not as Agent of other Authors;
3.2.9
Maintain an account for all funds collected by Agent on Author’s
behalf; provided that such account may also hold funds collected
by Agent on behalf of other clients of Agent; provided further,
except to the extent of funds that are then owed to Agent by
Author (or, with respect to funds collected by Agent on behalf
of Agent’s other clients, are then owed to Agent by such other
clients of Agent), such account shall not hold Agent’s funds,
i.e., except to the extent of funds that are then owed to Agent,
at all times all funds owed to Author shall be kept separate
from and shall not be commingled with Agent’s own operating
funds.
4. NOTICES.
4.1 Manner of
Notice. All notices which are required to be given
under this Agreement or which either party desires to give to
the other relative to any matter under this Agreement shall be
in writing and (i) delivered personally to the other party or to
any officer, director, or other agent or representative of the
other party designated by such other party as having authority
to receive such notices, or (ii) transmitted to the other party
by facsimile or other electronic transmission, or (iii)
delivered by a recognized overnight or two-day delivery service
such as DHL or FedEx, or (iv) transmitted to the other party by
electronic mail; provided, however, that any notice transmitted
by facsimile or other electronic transmission or by electronic
mail shall be followed up by personal delivery or overnight
delivery within forty-eight (48) hours after the termination.
4.2 Notices
to Agent. Any notice to Agent shall be sent to Agent at
the following address/fax number/email address, or to such other
address/fax number/email address as Agent may hereafter
designate:
AGENT:
Northern Lights Literary Services LLC
Attention: Sammie L. Justesen
Address:
2721 Tulip Tree Road
Suite A
Nashville IN 47448-9128 USA
Fax
Number: (888)
281-6615
Email Address:
sammie@northernlightsls.com
4.3 Notices
to Author. Any notice to Author shall be sent to Author
at the following address/fax number/email address, or to such
other address/fax number/email address as Author may hereafter
designate:
AUTHOR:
Ima Author
Address: 12345 Magnolia Lane
Evergreen CA 12345
Email
Address: imaauthor@imaauthorcom
4.4 Effective
Date. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
effective date of any notice hereunder shall be the earlier of
the date such notice is actually delivered personally, or the
date such notice is transmitted by facsimile or other electronic
transmission, or the third day after the date such notice is
deposited with a recognized overnight delivery service with the
delivery charges prepaid.
5. DISPUTE
RESOLUTION. In the event of any dispute between the
parties, the parties shall attempt to resolve such disputes
through discussion. If the parties are unable to resolve the
disagreement, the parties agree to submit the disagreement to
binding arbitration before a single arbitrator chosen by the
parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator,
each party shall appoint a representative and the
representatives shall choose a single arbitrator. The parties
shall arbitrate the disagreement in accordance with and pursuant
to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration
Association. The parties also agree that an arbitrator may award
reasonable costs and attorney fees to the winning party, and
that the arbitration award may be enforced in any court with
jurisdiction.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS.
6.1 Binding.
This Agreement shall be binding up and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties, their heirs, representatives, and
assignees.
6.2 Time Is
of The Essence. Time is of the essence as to all
matters set forth in this Agreement. The failure of any party
hereto to perform any obligation by the date required shall
constitute a material and substantial breach of this Agreement.
6.3 Governing
Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed
in accordance with the laws of the State of IDAHO. The parties
consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal
and state courts located in Bonner County, Idaho, in any action
arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties waive
any other venue to which either party might be entitled by
domicile or otherwise. The provisions of this paragraph shall
not be construed or interpreted to conflict with the provisions
of Paragraph 6.4 above, i.e., except for non-arbitral matters,
if any, the parties shall be obligated to arbitrate any dispute
arising under this Agreement.
6.4 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement between Agent and Author relative to the subject
matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior negotiations,
representations, and agreements relative to such subject
matter.
6.5
Independent Provisions. Each of the provisions of this
Agreement is independent of every other provision. In the event
that any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid
or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall
continue to be binding, valid, and effective with the invalid or
unenforceable provisions being stricken the same as if never
written.
6.6 Captions.
The captions herein are for convenience only and shall have no
legal effect.
6.7 No
Assignment by Agent. Without Author’s prior written
consent, Agent shall not assign any of its rights, powers, or
duties under this Agreement; provided, however, Agent may assign
its right to receive compensation and reimbursement of Agent’s
Reimbursable Expenses to any third-party; and provided further
if Agent is no longer in existence or actively involved in the
business of (or operating within the field of) literary agency,
then, on written notice from Author to Agent (or Agent’s
representatives), Author may assume responsibility for
collection of all sums owed to Author by any publisher or other
third-party, and Author shall continue to have the obligation to
pay Agent all sums owed to Agent under Paragraphs 2.2.1 through
2.2.3 above.
6.8 No Waiver.
No term or condition of this Agreement may be waived except by a
writing signed by the party entitled to the benefit thereof. No
waiver shall be construed to apply to any further or future
default.
6.9
Warranties, Representations, and Indemnification. Each
party represents and warrants that he/she/it has the right to
enter into this Agreement without impairing anyone else’s
rights, and that he/she/it shall not to make any commitment
relative to Author’s Work and Author’s Literary Rights that
would conflict with this Agreement. Each party shall defend,
indemnify, and hold the other party harmless from and against
every claim based on any alleged breach of the provisions of
this paragraph.
6.10 Early
Termination. Either Agent or Author may terminate this
Agreement at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice
to the other.
6.11
Independent Advice and Mutual Preparation. Each party
acknowledges that: (i) he/she/it has been advised to seek
independent legal and tax advice with regard to this Agreement;
(ii) this document shall be deemed to have been drafted by both
parties and that no presumptions shall be made against either
party based on the actual drafting of this Agreement or any
provision of this Agreement; and (iii) he/she/it is entering
into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.
Dated:_______________________
Dated: _________________________
AGENT: AUTHOR:
NORTHERN LIGHTS LITERARY
SERVICES, LLC
An Idaho Limited Liability
Company
BY
______________________________
SAMMIE L. JUSTESEN,
Agent Ima Author
EIN:
41-0000000
SSN: 000-00-0000
